Now 5 Helpful Questions To Ask Lawyer During The Consultation

Many lawyers offer to speak with potential clients for a free initial consultation. This helps you in finding a qualified attorney and choose if they are the right person for you. Knowing the questions you want to ask before meeting the lawyer is, therefore, very important. Here are some of the questions you should consider asking:

1. How Many Cases Similar to Mine Have You Handled Before?

It’s important to determine how long your attorney has practiced law and whether they have handled cases like yours in the course of their experience. Asking the attorney such a question will help you determine if they can handle your case.

If they have dealt with similar matters, they are likely to be sufficiently competent to handle your type of case. At this point, an experienced attorney may even be able to present you with testimonials of similar cases to yours that they have taken.

Other related questions:

• What type of cases do you primarily deal with (criminal law, family law, etc.)?
• When did you start practicing law?
• Can you give me examples of similar cases you have handled?

2. What Strategies Are You Going To Use For My Case?

Even though many lawyers won’t go into the details of the strategies they plan to use since it’s just the first meeting, the right one should give you an overview of what he or she plans to do to help you with your case, if you take him or her on as your legal representation.

Other questions to consider include:

• Which strategies do you intend to use? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• In your opinion, how long will this case take if you use this strategy?
• Have you used these strategies before? Did they work?

3. Are There Other Alternatives Apart From Going To Court?

Legal services do not begin and end in the courtroom. There are often ways that one can avoid going to court. A Lawyer can often negotiate and come to a fair conclusion before the opponent files a lawsuit. In some cases, even after a lawsuit is filed, mediation and arbitration are still options to avoid going to court.

Other questions you can ask:

• In the cases you have handled in the past, how many have you settled outside court?
• Do you see yourself as a successful negotiator?
• Are you open to the possibility of taking the case to court in case a settlement is not reached?

4. How Much Will It Cost Me?

This first meeting is the right time to talk about legal fees. When you ask about the cost, you will consider the lawyer’s response and see if you can afford it. In personal injury matters, a law firm will usually only require you to pay only after you receive your settlement.

Questions To Ask The Right Lawyer

Other questions to consider include:

• What is your attorney fees structure? Is it per hour? Flat legal fee? Contingency?
• Will there be extra costs?
• Can you give me an estimation of the total cost?

5. What Are The Possible Outcomes Of The Case?

A good legal professional should be able to predict the outcome of the case. They should not just tell you what you want to hear, but should instead tell you the truth.

Other related questions you can ask:

• Do you see us facing significant legal challenges?
• How can I avoid a lawsuit?

In conclusion, taking advantage of the free consultation to know about your Lawyer, their abilities, and their credibility will go a long way in helping you with your case. You may not get all the legal advice that you want at this stage because this is just the first meeting. In any case, the choice is of whether or not to hire a lawyer is yours to make. Hopefully, these tips provided will help you make a wise decision.

It’s always a good idea to do some research before you decide on who you want to represent you in the sale of your home. A qualified real estate attorney can protect you from many legal pitfalls and ensure that you are not setting yourself up for future problems with the transfer of property, making concessions and disclosures, or paying excess taxes. When speaking to potential real estate attorneys in any state, you can certainly ask questions. Some examples of reasonable questions would be:  

1-How long have you been practicing real estate law?  

2-Do you have experience with the same kinds of issues that the sale of my property would include?  

3-Do you only practice real estate law?  

4-How much would you charge to assist me with this property sale? Do you bill the flat fee or hourly?  

Feel free to speak with more than one real estate lawyer before making your decision. Any red flags should be listened to. For example, if the attorney seems rushed when speaking with you or misses your call, that might be a sign that they won’t have adequate time to spend on your sale. Another red flag would be any refusal to have a frank conversation regarding what you will be charged for their services. The sale of any property, not just your home, is a huge decision, and you have every right to thoroughly investigate prior to committing to anything. For more information on Real Estate laws in general read our article on recent changes to real estate law 2022.

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Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Lawyer Before Selling Your Home:

If this is your first time selling a home, there are many questions to ask and items to consider as you move forward. As a home seller, you have certain rights and powers, but you also have specific duties and disclosures required of a potential buyer. The individual facts and circumstances of each home sale can vary, but here are some questions that can be applied to a broad range of home sales without any unusual complications.  

1. Ask About Any Letter To A Home Seller

You will want to ask your real estate attorney to review any letter you receive from a potential buyer who is making an offer on your property. It’s typical for a potential buyer to send a letter if there is more than one buyer interested in purchasing your property, otherwise known as a bidding war. Of course, as a seller, this is music to your ears, but you want to be certain that any offer contained in the letter is something that leaves you in a good position after any purchase is completed. Ensure you include your real estate attorney in the review and evaluation of any letter to the home seller.  

2. Ask About Home Sales Capital Gains Tax

You should ask your real estate attorney if your property sale will be subject to a capital gains tax. The answer depends on whether the property is your primary residence or something else, like a vacation or investment property. The appreciation of your home will also play a part. An experienced real estate attorney will be able to tell you if there are tax considerations for the sale of your property will be and how to best maximize your return on the property sale.  

3. Ask About Seller Concessions

If you are considering making seller concessions or a potential buyer has asked for seller concessions, you need to explore the feasibility of any concession with your real estate attorney. Seller concessions are also called seller assists or seller contributions. Sometimes a seller concession is a great idea, and other times it can be harmful in the long run. The best rule of thumb is to discuss what you are willing to do and not willing to do with your real estate attorney before the situation even occurs. If a seller concession is requested by a potential buyer that has not yet been decided on between you and your real estate attorney, then you need to ask your real estate attorney about the potential long-term consequences of making the concession. Typically, a seller concession takes place when a potential buyer cannot afford all the costs involved in the home buying process. If you are in a buyer’s market and not a seller’s market, you may be forced to agree to a sale with contingencies (concessions) in order to unload the property.  

4. Ask How Much The Seller’s Closing Costs Are Before Making The Sale

Be certain you discuss closing costs with your real estate attorney. Closing costs are a group of expenses for the seller to consider when selling a home. A percentage of the home’s price is charged for transfer tax, and the rate varies with the state law. There is title insurance. Escrow costs and any changes that are made to the property in order to close the sale. Finally, it is not unusual for the seller to pay for both realtors’ costs if the parties use a real estate agent.  

5. Ask About Home Seller’s Disclosures

Most states require that a seller make a certain number or type of disclosures before a home sale is finalized. Different states can require a deadline for the seller to make certain disclosures in a report before finalizing the sale contract. A seller cannot escape making certain disclosures simply by stating that the property is being sold “as is.” Some common disclosures are if there was a death in the home, any hazards, neighborhood nuisance, water damage, and the presence of a homeowner’s association. Some states also offer “loopholes” where the seller agrees to pay a credit to the buyer. The best advice is to discuss your concerns about disclosures with your real estate attorney and disclose as much as they advise in order to avoid any problems with the buyer post-sale.    

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You need a lawyer. Whatever your legal issue, it is uniquely yours. You want a lawyer who can handle your problem as expertly, inexpensively, and as efficiently as possible. There are many qualities that make for successful attorney-client relationships, but what are they? What traits should you look for in the lawyer who would be best suited to assist you?

If you have a case, look for an attorney that possesses as many of the following qualities as possible:

1. EXPERIENCE

One of the most important things to look for in a potential attorney is experience – i.e. experience the lawyer and their law firm have in handling matters similar to those which you are facing. There can be no substitute for experience. Just as you would not necessarily trust an inexperienced mechanic with your vehicle, or an inexperienced caretaker for your children, you are more likely to trust an experienced lawyer – for good reason.

But how do you find a lawyer with the right experience for your issue? It starts with asking the right questions:

• How long has the attorney been practicing law?
• Have they handled cases in the area in which you find yourself seeking legal representation?
• How many similar cases have they handled?
• Are they familiar with the law that governs the issue facing you?
• Other areas of inquiry to consider:
• Did they obtain their legal education at a reputable, accredited and well-respected law school?
• Are they respected by their peers?
• Have they been asked to provide continuing legal education presentations for other lawyers?
• Have they been chosen by their peers to serve in leadership roles in various Bar activities and organizations?
• Does their firm have a deep bench of legal talent with a collection of lawyers, paralegals, and other support staff who are capable of handling the details of even the most complex aspects of your legal issues?

All of these questions should be researched and investigated before you choose a lawyer to represent you, no matter what the legal issue might be. Before you make a call to the loudest voice on television or the flashiest, most high-tech ad on the internet, look beyond the slick marketing and do your research about the real experience the lawyer and/or law firm you are considering has.

2. LEGAL FEES

One of the first things most people consider when they think about going to see a lawyer is “how much is this going to cost?” This is a great question and one you should ask your attorney before you hire them.

At Hare Wynn, we utilize a fee structure referred to as a “contingency fee arrangement.” This means that we only earn a fee if we succeed in making a monetary recovery for our client. Then, a percentage of that recovery becomes our fee. If for some reason we do not achieve a recovery, there is no fee for our time or out-of-pocket expenses.

Such contingency fee arrangements are not the norm in the legal world. Many firms charge hourly rates, which may differ depending on the experience or seniority of the lawyer handling the work. Some lawyers require their clients to pay up-front retainers before the lawyer will even begin to work on their case.

During your initial meeting with your lawyer, ask what their fee structure will be for your case. Ask them to put it in writing. If they are not willing to do that, walk away. There is no reason for you to be left guessing what your legal work may cost. Of course, in an hourly rate fee arrangement, you will also want to discuss how many hours might be involved in the work, how often you will be billed, and what detailed time accounting will be provided with their invoices.

As mentioned earlier, our firm generally does not require the client to pay the litigation costs. Make sure you know whether those costs will be your responsibility up-front, pay-as-you-go, or deducted from your recovery, if any. You also want to ask if you will be responsible for fees and costs, even if the case turns out not to go your way.

Don’t be bashful. Lawyers are sometimes as reluctant to discuss fees as you may be hesitant to bring the topic up in the first place. If your lawyer doesn’t break the ice on this topic, do it yourself. Both of you will be better prepared to move forward if you have the fee and expense arrangement ironed out during your first meeting.

3. COMMUNICATION

If you are like me, it is very frustrating to call someone, leave a message, and then never get a return call. It makes you wonder if you really just don’t matter to them.

A lawyer who doesn’t make an effort to get back in touch with their clients promptly is doing both the client and their law practice a disservice. While it is true that lawyers are often out of the office in court, taking depositions, or meeting with experts, you should expect that on those occasions, the lawyer’s staff should do all they can to address your needs.

At Hare Wynn, we find more and more that our communication with clients comes through e-mails and even texts. Regardless of the method of communication used, a prompt response time should be the norm, not the exception. When you hire your lawyer, discuss your preferred method of communicating with them. Discuss how often you should expect to hear from them. Often, cases take many months, and sometimes years, to bring to a conclusion. There will naturally be times when there may not be much news to discuss, but should you ever want an update on your case, simply say so.

When you do speak to your lawyer, do not be hesitant to ask questions, even if you need to write them down beforehand so you don’t forget what you wanted to ask. There is no “dumb” question. If you don’t understand something about your case or want anything at all explained, simply ask. A good lawyer will do their best to explain even the most complex concepts in an easy to understand manner.

When you enter into a lawyer-client relationship, there should be a special confidence that comes with any discussion you have with them. In virtually every case, the lawyer is duty-bound to protect the privacy of anything you talk about or share with them. While there are some exceptions, for the most part, the attorney-client “privilege” makes what you say to your lawyer a secret. Be honest with them. A lawyer can rarely help a client that does not provide accurate and complete information.

Whatever your situation, communicating with your attorney should be a normal part of the legal engagement. It is one of the most important parts of a successful outcome for anyone seeking legal advice.

4. AVAILABILITY

Availability means two things:

1. The attorney will be the one who actually represents you in your case
2. The attorney will be responsive at all times to you

It may be hard to believe, but many attorneys with larger firms – especially in the personal injury practice – don’t actually handle the cases themselves. They may be the advertising front-man, but in reality, one of their associates does most, if not all, of the work.

Further, an attorney should be responsive to you at all times, and keep up clear lines of two-way communication with you, their client. The relationship between an attorney and a client is an important one – crucial, even – when it comes to the success of your case. The more you communicate, the more successful the outcome will be.

No one wants an attorney who is distant, unapproachable, and unavailable. If you’re embroiled in a legal action, the last thing you want is to not be able to reach your lawyer should you need him or her. After all, you likely have concerns and worries. You’ll undoubtedly have questions, often many of them. All you want are answers – and reassurance from time to time that your case is in good hands.

What’s the difference between communication and availability? Lawyers can have good communication in that they keep you apprised of what’s happening with your case – but that doesn’t mean they’re available to handle your concerns and answer your questions. And it doesn’t mean they are giving your case the personal, hands-on attention it deserves.

A responsive attorney can tremendously reduce stress and worry. An unresponsive attorney will only compound those concerns until they consume you. Be careful when selecting your attorney, and try to find one who is not just dedicated to your case, but who is also dedicated to being available to you when you are in need.

5. HONEST ADVICE

It probably sounds like a bad joke, but believe it or not, honesty is something you can – and should – expect in an attorney, especially one who will be working for you.

When we talk about honesty, we’re referring to an attorney who will evaluate your case for its strengths, but will also be upfront with you about any potential issues they foresee. An exceptional attorney will give you their honest opinion of what they think about your case and a realistic estimate of your case’s timeline.

To explain this, we’ll offer a contrast: an attorney who gives you a guarantee. Guarantees aren’t worth the breath it takes to give them, and they’re usually the mark of an unscrupulous attorney – or, at the least, an attorney who is desperate for your business.

The truth is this: no attorney should ever guarantee an outcome. Instead, attorneys should give you a realistic picture of what is likely to happen based on the facts of the case and the attorney’s knowledge and experience. Note that even a very confident assessment is not the same as a guarantee.

Honesty is crucial to the success of your case from the very beginning. Otherwise, you can waste a lot of time and effort with your case, ending up with unmet expectations. For instance, right before the verdict or settlement conference is the wrong time for an attorney to finally give you their honest assessment of your case. They should be very direct in telling you not just how much money they think you can get (which is very difficult to predict for any attorney and shouldn’t be the focus of your relationship with your lawyer) but also your chances of finding success. And this should happen consistently throughout the process, even from the beginning.

At the end of the day, honesty is an underrated, essential part of any successful legal outcome. If we’re not honest with you, we’re not serving your best interests – only ours.

QUESTIONS? SHOW ME THE LAW IS HERE TO HELP.

We invite you to take a serious look at any attorney you are thinking about hiring for your case and making sure he or she fits all five of the characteristics above. You deserve nothing less than the best representation you can find. And you usually only get one shot with your case – so you better make it count.

Much like an accountant or a contractor, you should approach choosing an attorney wisely. Not only will you be sharing confidential information with this person, but you will also be entrusting them to offer you proper legal advice and guide you through a situation you wouldn’t otherwise be able to navigate on your own.

From qualifications and cost, to the area of law and location, there are several aspects to turn over in your mind before selecting the attorney that is best for you and your legal situation.

Here are 10 factors you should think about when searching for a lawyer:

1. Long or short term?

Before you begin looking online, or asking colleagues, friends, or family for referrals, you need to address your own needs first. Why do you need an attorney? Do you have a legal problem that you cannot solve on your own? If so, would a professional be able to help?

After you have identified you do need legal assistance, figure out whether you need a lawyer short term or long term. This will depend on the work you would like done. For instance, do you need an attorney to provide advice on a current legal situation? This may only require a short term hire or a consultation. Oppositely, if you are looking for someone to handle all your legal affairs indefinitely, then you may require a long term attorney who you can call on when you need them.

2. Area of law

Lawyers tend to specialize in certain areas of law, as it is a very large field of study, similar to medicine. Some cover real estate law, while others pursue business, family, intellectual property, immigration, employment, accident/injury, bankruptcy, criminal, or civil rights law.

Attorneys can also be open to a wide range of situations, in which case they are referred to as general practice attorneys. Smaller communities see more general practitioners because there is limited legal help in the area.

However, if your situation is specific to your business, then you may want to choose someone who has experience in corporate law. Alternatively, if you need help settling a loved one’s estate, an estate planning lawyer would be the best fit.

3. Are they highly regarded?

When you hire someone to perform a service or offer advice, you want to ensure that they know their stuff. You may need to ask for referrals from people who have worked with them before. You can also seek out referral services online who can pair you with a locally certified lawyer suited to your needs.

Personal recommendations or connections can also be valuable, such as friends or family who have worked with a specific attorney.

4. Location

Laws vary by state. This means you should look for someone in your area who is familiar with the region’s legal requirements. 

If you happen to live in a rural area with limited resources, you can use other methods of contact, such as phone or email, to discuss smaller issues. With larger legal matters, or for long term counsel, it’s important to find someone close to you so that you can develop a trusted, face-to-face relationship.

5. Experience

In addition to someone with a specialization in the area of law you require, choose an attorney with experience cases similar to your own. You can find out information about their practicing history by simply asking them, or checking out their firm’s website (if they have one). An attorney with more experience may be more valuable, but only if their experience matches your situation, as well as your budget.

To find out more about an attorney’s past history, you may be able interview them to see if they are qualified to take on your case. Asking questions will give you insight into the type of experience they have, if they communicate well, and most of all, if they can help you.

6. Size of firm

The size of the law firm can affect your decision in a few ways. Larger firms are usually more established and have greater resources, but can also be more costly.

Smaller firms may be more personal and perhaps less expensive, but they may be limited in their services if they don’t specialize in the area of law that you desire.

7. Cost and billing

Ultimately, cost will be a factor when you’re choosing an attorney. How much you are willing to spend is up to you. You can gather more information beforehand by asking the lawyer for a quote, as well as how they bill their clients. It could be an hourly fee, a flat rate, a contingency fee, a negotiable fee, or possibly even a retainer for future fees.

Find out if the fee includes expenses (such as shipping, filing, and travel) because these costs are not always treated the same and could be billed separately.

If you are not satisfied with the quote or the cost does not suit your budget, shop around and ask the same questions. When you do settle on a firm or a lawyer, always make sure the cost terms are clear and don’t be afraid to talk about price, so there are no surprises. You may even wish to confirm all costs in a written agreement.

8. Compatibility

While there are many professional things to consider when choosing a lawyer, their character should also factor into your decision. Find someone that is trustworthy and makes you feel comfortable. Mutual respect is also important. A lawyer who will work hard for you, exercise good judgment, and be thorough and thoughtful in the process is a valuable asset.

9. Availability

Does the lawyer you want to hire have enough time to dedicate to your case? How is their caseload? Can they take on your case immediately? These are important questions to ask if you plan on being in contact with the attorney often. If they appear to be overworked, consider looking for someone else who has the time to attend to your needs.

10. Communication

Communication goes hand in hand with compatibility and availability. Often, between paperwork and meetings, there can be a tendency to fall out of touch. Try to establish proactive communication at the beginning. Mention your preferred form of communication and discuss your hours, so you are both on the same page. This will prevent missed meetings or phone calls. Agree on regular check-in times to discuss updates and ask questions.

A good attorney should also take the time to explain complicated matters, provide you with plain English advice on your situation, and present you with an array of options or solutions to mull over before deciding on a plan of action

Selecting the Right Attorney for You

Choosing an attorney may take time, and you might not always find one that you click with immediately. A quality attorney will be worth the recruiting effort, even if it means researching and interviewing several before you decide on one.

Most importantly, finding a lawyer that fits your needs, your budget, and your welfare is going to give you peace of mind because you will trust that they are looking out for your best interests.

When you find yourself faced with a legal issue, the steps you take next can literally impact the rest of your life. Hiring a legal professional – and doing it the right way – is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Not sure how to hire an attorney for your case? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for ten must-know tips that will make hiring an attorney easy.

1. Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good attorney is to ask people you trust for recommendations. Start with family and friends – ask if they’ve had a positive personal experience with an attorney in the area of specialty you’re looking for.

If you have a relationship with an attorney who works in a different specialty, he or she may also be able to give you a recommendation. For example, your business lawyer probably can’t help with a personal injury case, but he may be able to refer you to a great personal injury lawyer.

Use these recommendations to create a short list of three to five attorneys who you’ll investigate further before making a decision.

2. Do Online Research

Next, it’s time to hop online and start doing some research about each of the attorneys on your list. Check Google reviews and at least a couple of the lawyer review sites – like Lawyers.com and Justia.

It’s also a good idea to take a look through the lawyer’s website and their social media – including the reviews section. Remember that you can’t please everyone, so don’t put too much weight into one or two bad reviews, but if you start to see a pattern, consider crossing that lawyer off your list.

3. Schedule a Consultation

Once your research is done, narrow down your list to the top three, then call to schedule consultations. Most attorneys will meet with you for at least a brief consultation without charging you.

Pay attention to whether the person who answers the phone is polite and accommodating. When you arrive at the office, notice whether the location is convenient and whether you feel comfortable in the space.

4. Ask the Right Questions

When you sit down with the lawyer, it’s a good idea to have a list of questions prepared. This will ensure that you make good use of the time you have and that you don’t forget anything important.

Some of the questions you’ll want to ask include:

• Do you specialize in cases like mine?
• How long have you been practicing?
• Do you feel that I have a strong case?
• How much do you think my case is worth?
• How often do you take cases to court vs. setting?
• Who will be handling my case?
• How and when will I need to pay?

Look for an attorney who is honest and upfront when answering your questions. Don’t be afraid to take notes, as you’ll want to compare the interviews with each of your top three options and remembering who said what could become a challenge.

5. Assess fees and Costs

You never want to hire an attorney based on cost alone, but, of course, price does matter. Ask the attorney to thoroughly explain their fees, and, if possible, to provide you with a written summary. Don’t feel like you’re “being cheap,” you deserve to know what you’re paying for and how much it’s going to cost you.

6. Review the Payment Arrangements

There are different ways that your attorney might bill you. Options include:

• Contingency fee – the attorney receives a percentage of what you’re awarded if you win your case.
• Flat fee – a set dollar amount for services. This is common for simple things like writing a will or filing a non-contested divorce.
• Hourly rate – this is a set fee per hour. The final cost will depend on the number of hours worked.
• Retainer – this is a fee you pay upfront. Lawyers often use this to pay expenses and fees associated with trying your case.

It’s important to understand how your attorney bills so you know when and how much you can expect to pay. If you don’t ask these questions, you could end up with an unpleasant surprise.

7. Listen to Your Gut

Once you’ve reviewed all of this information and met with each potential attorney, it’s time to evaluate your experience with each and make a final decision. You’ll use logic for most of this evaluation, but it’s also important to listen to your gut. If you have a really great feeling about one attorney that you met with – if you feel like you trust and believe in him or her – then this is a great indication that you’ve made the right choice.

The same goes for a negative feeling. Even if you can’ quite put your finger on it, if there’s something that just doesn’t seem quite right to you, then move on. There are thousands of lawyers out there, so it makes sense to keep looking until you find one that’s a good fit for you.

Hiring an Attorney is a Critical Decision

Follow these tips for hiring an attorney and you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve made an excellent choice. If you need even more information, take a few minutes to scroll through some of our other helpful blog posts!

7 REASONS YOU NEED A LAWYER

If you have been issued a traffic ticket or are involved in a small claims case, chances are you will not need a lawyer.  The answer to “When do I need a lawyer?” can be overly complex and often depends on the exact circumstances of your specific situation. The attorneys at Handelin Law identified 7 common reasons you may need a lawyer to help guide you in deciding whether to hire a lawyer for your particular circumstance.

Personal Injury

By their very nature, accidents happen fast, without warning, and usually at the worst possible time.  In order to maximize the benefits and recovery to which you are entitled, it is wise to have an advocate on your side fighting for you during your recovery.  Whether your injury was work-related, caused by a car accident or a defective product, a knowledgeable attorney at Handelin Law can assist you in your fight.

Someone in Your Family Died Without an Estate Plan

Another reason why you would need to hire an attorney is when a family member has passed without an estate plan. When a family member dies without an estate plan, it can lead to chaos: family members may start to argue about who gets what, money issues can sometimes arise, and more. Hiring an experienced probate attorney at Handelin Law can save you and your family a great deal of pain, stress, and confusion.

You Want to Start a Business

Starting a business without an attorney is possible; however, it is not recommended. Hiring one of our experienced business law attorneys at Handelin Law can help you navigate all the legal requirements of your company, ensure compliance with all applicable laws, as well as guide you through each step of building your business. This is especially true when your business involves a partner, where you need to set forth the respective rights and obligations of each partner to avoid potential issues before they threaten the business itself.

You Need an Estate Plan

While there are free or downloadable forms that websites offer as an estate plan, these are often unenforceable if not executed properly, they can leave out important considerations, and end up causing more harm than good.  A properly crafted and enforceable estate plan prepared by one of our top-notch estate planning attorneys will ensure you that your wishes are carried out by those who you appoint and will avoid costly litigation.  In doing so, you and your family will be able to enjoy one another and remember you for you, and not for the mess you left behind.

You are Going Through a Nasty Divorce

If you find yourself in an emotional or complex divorce where disagreements over assets, children, allegations of domestic violence, or finances arise, your first step should be to call Handelin Law and sit down with one of our family law attorneys.  Far too often emotion and anger control these discussions and decisions and our family law attorneys can guide you to a fair and proper resolution if one can be had; however, if litigation is required, we will fight for you and your children.

A Contract is Involved

When creating a contract between you and another person, it is crucial that you understand the terms and conditions you are being asked to sign and ultimately obligating yourself thereto. If you have an agreement that will legally bind you and you are not absolutely positive of the terms, sitting down with one of our Handelin Law lawyers can save you a significant amount of time and money by protecting you before you sign.

You Received a Letter from an Attorney

It is never ideal to receive a letter from an attorney (trust us, we know!), but it may be either a misunderstanding or an opportunity to resolve a dispute.  Our experienced attorneys can assist in either event.  It is usually not wise to communicate directly with another attorney, as you may unintentionally divulge damaging information or misstate your position which may be used against you.

If any of the above happens to you, or if you have other legal concerns, contact us today or scheduling a consultation online.

Simply put: Lawyers get a bad rap these days.

While I love a good lawyer joke as much as the next guy, the truth is that most lawyers are honest, hard-working, and knowledgeable professionals who look out for the best interest of their clients. Like doctors, mechanics, or accountants they are professionals with an area of expertise and an important service to provide.

But where most of us don’t think twice about having a family doctor or keeping a handyman on call, many people feel that having a lawyer is a sign that something is wrong. To many, it’s a sign that someone is either looking for trouble or doing something risky that might make them more likely to have legal problems.

Generally, if you aren’t super-wealthy or a villain on a crime show, it’s not widely expected you’d have an attorney you can call when needed without searching. Instead, you’re expected to “get an attorney” when things get rough.

But what’s expected of you is not always best for you, especially if you’re a webmaster, businessman, or someone who is in a position where they may need a lawyer sometime in the future. Just like with a doctor or a mechanic, it’s best to have an established relationship with someone before things go bad, so you have someone who knows who you are and can dive right in to help.

If you aren’t working with an attorney, today is a great day to get one because tomorrow it may be too late. But, even if there isn’t an urgent need on the horizon, there are still several reasons why it is a great idea to get a lawyer today. Here are a few to consider.

1. They’re Not That Expensive

One of the big reasons that people avoid talking with an attorney before it becomes absolutely necessary is cost. TV shows hype up lawyers with high rates and make your lawyers look more expensive than they actually are.

While lawyers do charge different rates and some can be very hard on the wallet, most are actually very reasonable. In fact, you can probably find a very capable attorney for a lower hourly rate than your doctor or even a licensed plumber.

Besides, even if a lawyer is expensive, they likely provide free consultations. In those consultations, they will talk with you about your situation and provide some idea of how they can help and how much it will cost.

In short, there’s no risk in talking with an attorney and trying to build a relationship with one.

2. Lawyers Prevent Problems

Most people think of attorneys as people who fix problems but, in truth, most of the work that they do is preventative in nature. Whether it’s reviewing contracts, writing up agreements, filing paperwork, or making sure that their client is compliant with the law.

An attorney is there to represent the interest of their clients and those interests are best served by keeping them out of legal trouble, not just merely defending them when they are in the middle of it.

Having a lawyer that can read your contracts, keep up your business filings up to date and guide you through any paperwork you may have can go a long way to preventing legal problems and that, in the long run, saves you a great deal of money and headache.

3. Your Partners/Competitors Have One

If you’re signing a contract with another company to do work for them, do you assume that they had an intern write the document? No, they had an attorney write it for them and prepare it with their interests in mind.

If someone you’re negotiating or competing with has an attorney working with them and you don’t, that puts you at a disadvantage. Not only will you understand less about the document and the law, but you won’t have someone in your corner acting and advising on your behalf.

While attorneys shouldn’t be seen as part of an arms race, you still don’t want to be the only one in the room without one representing you when it comes to any kind of negotiation or dispute. It’s safe to assume that the companies you’re working with and competing against have lawyers working for them so it makes sense to have one of your own.

4. Powerful Networking

No lawyer operates in a vacuum. Every attorney operates in a network with other legal professionals, including many different specialties, officials in various areas of government, and other professionals of all types.

One of the talents that makes a good lawyer a good lawyer is his or her ability to reach out, contact the right people and get active. That also makes a good lawyer a good place to get contact information for other professionals, informally and formally.

For example, if you need an accountant to help with your taxes? A lawyer is a good person to ask who in the area is good. Need to file some papers with the local government? A lawyer can usually tell you where to go and what to watch out for.

Having someone who can direct you to the right people is always invaluable and that’s something attorneys excel at.

5. You Never Know…

What if something happens and you find yourself sued tomorrow? You have a limited amount of time to respond and you are going to waste a lot of it trying to shop around for a lawyer and, when you find one, they’re going spend a lot of time getting caught up on you and your situation.

You never know when the next legal bump is around the corner and you might need a lawyer urgently. It’s important that you have an established relationship with one so they can hit the ground running and spend less time backtracking through your history.

A quick, effective response generally means a better outcome for you and money saved. In short, the better you know your attorney, the better he or she can help you.

Bottom Line

We live in a society that thinks nothing of going to a doctor for checkups when nothing is wrong, having an occasional home inspection or even getting your car checked with every oil change. Yet, even having an ongoing relationship with an attorney is a sign of something being off.

I’m not saying you need to visit a lawyer every six months or even yearly, but you should establish a relationship with one as soon as you can and see about stopping by every time your situation changes. Routine stuff such as minor car accidents, contracts, wills, etc. is great, low-pressure opportunities to introduce yourself to a lawyer and find one you like.

So take the opportunity to seek one out. Most likely, you’ve been putting off some legally-oriented task for a while so make it a late New Year’s resolution to get it done and, along the way, establish a relationship with a legal professional that can help you a great deal down the road.

When you need your lawyer, you’ll be glad that you met them when you did.

Finding a reputable car accident lawyer to work with is more important than you might think. If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident, you’ll want a car accident lawyer who can represent your best interests, so you can focus on recovery. A good accident lawyer will be able to make sure all the right paperwork is filed, provide general legal advice, determine an accurate settlement estimate, collect evidence to strengthen your personal injury case, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and represent you in court, if necessary.

To make sure you find a reputable car accident lawyer you can trust to handle your case to the best of their abilities, look for the following things when consulting with prospective lawyers:

1. Clear Communication

A good lawyer will make it easy for you to understand what they will do to help you with your case. They will provide you with clear information about their process, fees, values, and more. If you have any questions, they should be direct and to the point. You should not leave their office with more questions than answers. If they are unable to provide clear insight into their practice during your initial conversation, there’s a good chance you’ll have issues with communication further along the line if you hire them.

2. An engaged conversation

A good lawyer should be interested in your case. A lawyer that’s not engaged will only put in the minimum amount of required effort. You can end up getting a smaller settlement than you could have gotten because of this. How can you tell if a lawyer is engaged? They should ask you many detailed questions about your case and what your legal goals are.

3. Willingness to provide references

Always ask a lawyer for a list of references you can contact and speak to. These references should speak to the reputation of the lawyer. Even if you don’t contact their references, you can have confidence in the fact that they provided them to you. A lawyer that doesn’t have references or won’t provide you with any should be avoided.

4. An organized office space

The more organized their office looks, the more organized they probably are. Keep an eye on how their staff does their work and how tidy the lawyer’s desk is. If they have to shuffle through piles of paper in order to find what they’re looking for while their staff struggles to handle incoming calls, they’re probably not very organized, which doesn’t reflect well on their ability to handle your case.

5. Experience

Ask the lawyer about their experience. Make sure they have specific experience handling car accident cases. You will also want to be sure they have experience arguing cases in court and have a winning track record.

These are five things you should look for when meeting with a car accident lawyer. We’re confident that you will find all five of these things when you speak to a car accident lawyer. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today!

Knowing some basic Law of Attraction tips can set you on the path to manifesting your actual desires and less of what you don’t want. The Law of Attraction is always working whether we’re aware of it or not. Either you’re living by default or design.

Awareness and learning to use it to your advantage is the first step in changing just about any aspect of your life.

That’s great news, right?

So you’ve accepted this and you’re ready to start manifesting the life of your dreams. But where do you start?

How do you get the ball rolling when you’ve never done it before?

My best advice is sharing some of my daily practices with you.

I developed these practices over several years of testing and these law of attraction tips seem to work best for me.

So here’s the list…let’s go!

1. Define and Clarify Your Goal

One reason so many people don’t accomplish goals is they aren’t specific enough. Manifestation works the same way.

By just saying, “I want to make more money” will not be effective, but saying “I want to earn $10,000 per month by July 1, 2019” will.

A couple of ways to really boost your manifesting power is to write out what it would feel like to have already accomplished your goal and read it often. But not just read it, close your eyes and envision that success scenario in as much detail as you can.

Creating a vision board can be helpful if you really feel inspired by it AND take action towards what you want.

2. Set Daily Intentions

After reading The Miracle Morning in late 2012, I made it a priority to wake up really early. I get up around 4:15a 7 days a week. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend it.

So since December of 2012, I’ve been doing this and I’ve found this to be the most creative and productive time in my day. But I plan my day the night before so I can hit the ground running when I wake up.

A great day starts with intention. By deciding the most important things I need to do or setting a daily theme and then visualizing myself progressing through the day to the best of my ability and accomplishing my tasks with ease. I picture my interactions with others and the activities I think I’ll be doing. I envision my perfect day. I envision myself happy and content.

3. Ask for Assistance from Your Higher Power

Another technique that can be used right away in the morning is to ask for universal assistance in creating your perfect day. You can do this by writing down requests, which could be something like, “please allow my flight to arrive safely” or “please help me be my best self and truly serve others.”

4. Recite Positive Affirmations

You can also write out some flashcards or separate pieces of paper and put a carefully crafted affirmation on each one. I go through my flashcards a couple of times a day and recite each positive affirmation over and over for 5 minutes. An effective affirmation should only use positive wording and should always be in the present tense. For example, don’t say, “I wish to be debt-free.” Instead say, “I live an abundant lifestyle.” Need some ideas for positive affirmations? Check out this post.

5. Keep a Gratitude Journal

Keeping a gratitude journal is an excellent way to keep your vibrations high. I do this every night before I go to bed. I always list 5 things I was grateful for that day. It doesn’t have to be anything really huge, it could be as simple as “I’m grateful to have a roof over my head.” I also try not to ever do the same affirmation more than once (at least to the best of my memory). This is truly one of my favorite Law of Attraction tips and it leaves me with a positive, elevated mood as I go to sleep each day. It’s also a great way to raise your vibe if you’re trying to manifest during tough times.

6. Visualize Yourself Conquering Your Goals

And this one is by far one of my favorite Law of Attraction tips. This is similar to setting your daily intentions, but different because it’s visualizing you achieving a specific goal. When you picture yourself already at your final destination, in great detail, with the people, place, and things you want around you, you’ll start to attract the tools and other resources you need to make that actual goal (and visualization) a reality. And to really be effective, don’t just think about accomplishing your goal, really FEEL it. When you imagine it with emotion, is when the real magic starts to happen.

7. Identify Negativity as it Comes Up

When you’re going about your day, negative things are bound to come up, it’s just what happens when we live in the real world. It’s how we deal with this negativity that really counts. When negative situations arise in my life, I take them head on and deal with them as swiftly and effectively as possible BUT I also imagine the opposite feeling or experience and put all my focus on that. So basically when negativity shows up, acknowledge it, deal with it as much as possible and then find and focus on the good. I know this can be hard, but you really can find something good in just about every situation you can think of.

• The biggest thing to remember when test driving any of the techniques above is to BE CONSISTENT. Keeping a consistent practice keeps your vibrations high and you should start to notice small changes in a relatively short amount of time. I can’t give you a timeline…it’s different for everyone. Inconsistent practices will bring you inconsistent results or no results at all.

It is easy to understand how important laws are if you imagine a society trying to function without them. There is no way for one legal system to cover every situation because individuals and circumstances are unique.

In the U.S., there are a wide variety of laws, including laws created by legislatures, those created by administrative agencies, and laws created from tradition, or common law. Then there is a court system to help decide which laws apply in each situation and how the laws should be interpreted. It seems like a lot of rules, but all of them are important to help protect us in our day-to-day lives.

Functions of Law

Law fulfills several important functions, but these four are the most important:  

1. Laws protect individual rights and liberties. The Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution to guarantee several important protections. The laws protect individuals from other individuals, from organizations, and even from the government. The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights prohibits the government from making any law that would interfere with an individual’s right to free speech. There are some exceptions based on what is considered free speech.
2. Laws provide a framework and rules to help resolve disputes between individuals. Laws create a system where individuals can bring their disputes before an impartial fact-finder, such as a judge or jury. There are also legal alternatives where individuals work together to find a solution, such as by using alternative dispute resolution (ADR). There are courts at every level, from local to federal, to decide who should win in a dispute.
3. Without laws, there would be no way to set standards. It is easy enough to see why murder and theft are crimes, but laws also provide a framework for setting many other kinds of standards. Without the Federal Code of Regulations, it would be difficult for individuals or businesses to transact businesses using banks. Federal regulations provide enforceable rules and protections regarding taxes, commercial transactions, employment laws, insurance, and other important areas.
4. Laws help societies to maintain order. What would society be like without the rule of law? You might need to provide your own protection because there would be no police force or army.  Without federal banking protections, you might need to find other ways to get what you couldn’t provide for yourself. With the structure and organization of laws come order and predictability. Individuals can feel safe, leading to wider social structures and greater productivity.

Purpose of Business Law

Business law is unique because it has so many aspects of other areas of law. In order to understand such a complex subject, attorneys must understand diverse areas like commercial transactions, employment law, business formation and dissolution, and insurance law. Business law helps to protect not just the businesses but the owners, employees, and customers of the businesses.

The business attorneys at Cronus Law, PLLC  are flexible and knowledgeable problem solvers. We assist the residents, families, and businesses of Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding cities with simple and complex problems in the areas of business and real estate law. We can help with estate planning, civil litigation, and other matters. If you need assistance with an important legal matter, call us at  (480) 739-3683 or visit our website today.